The Postgraduate Mess

 

Happy faces on LinkedIn, celebrating new job opportunities, embarking on educational journeys to distant places, and leaving old jobs for better prospects—our journey of comparison continues from Facebook to Instagram and now to LinkedIn. Little did we know that the excitement of growing older and making life's decisions would become a high-stakes, do-or-die situation.

I often find myself and my dear friends sharing posts about how growth looks different for each individual and yet end up making a graph of how much behind in the "race" we are. Taking up a role at an MNC, pursuing studies, or maybe just taking time for your own beautiful self to process the fast pace of life, waiting for the fog to be gone. we are all growing in some way or the other. While you forge ahead, keep a check on how much present you really are in the present. The trauma of the past and anxiety of the future is what's eating up our time. The time in which we may have developed a new skill, discovered a new hobby, traveled to a new destination, made a new friend, or maybe just took a good mindful walk around the block.

So how can we liberate ourselves from this self-imposed chaos? ACCEPT THE FACT THAT YOU ARE ENOUGH! Breathe and let go of all the notions, the peer pressure, and the stress of having to face the world. The world might as well end tomorrow so make the last day on this planet pleasant and peaceful for the self in you and those around you. Find a way to vent out, a way to process your thoughts. Journalling, talking to someone close or even blogging might help! Will let you know if it does :)

Make a list of what would you want to dedicate your energy and time to in the next 20-30 years of your life. Doesn't matter if your answer is different from your kin. If you have an answer, work on it! Make a road map of how you can reach the goal. If the question was a hard throw at you, keep going with what you have been. Just keep breathing, keep collecting ideas, and see what makes you feel alive and where can you give your best. Maybe what you are doing is enough or maybe there's something magical you yet haven't discovered that you could do. Come what may, keep an open mind. Keep your smile wide. And just keep walking. Rest if you may, but don't let the currents of expectations stop your way ;)